Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan province, famous as a home of Chinese kung fu, has aggressively promoted the use of the internet in recent years under the leadership of its head abbot Shi Yongxin. The temple's office was hooked up with full Wi-Fi coverage on Sunday.

At the monastery, which was founded in the fifth century, every young monk has a smartphone.

The temple's official website has become an abundant encyclopedia that promotes Shaolin culture. In addition, the temple is promoting its events and releasing information through the website and monks are able to gather all the information they need through the website. Shaolin monks from all over the world are able to exchange their views on the site's online forum.

Shi, who has visited the headquarters of Apple in California, said in a meeting with the company's CEO Tim Cook that he has arrived at a different view of the internet after learning more about technology. He said the internet is a convenient way to promote Buddhism and its benefits, as well as commercial opportunities for the temple.

Shi said is more confident about Shaolin culture as believes Shaolin kung fu and meditation can help people live in the hi-tech world both physically and mentally.

Many engineers at Apple and Google have expressed a keen interest in participating in Shaolin's meditation classes. The temple's classes are expensive, however - a three-and-a-half-day course costs 20,000 yuan (US$3,200).